Ed Harpster works out March 29 at the MedCentral Wellness Complex. Harpster participates in the Silver Sneakers program at the facility.

Written by

Anne Miller
Special to the News Journal

Most of the sneakers in Bob Adkins' class at MedCentral's Health and Fitness Center are bright white, but many of the senior citizens working out are proud to be called Silver Sneakers. And two of the most "senior" seniors in the room are Ed Harpster, 98, and Kathleen Franta, 93.

These nonagenarians take their exercise regimen seriously and hate to miss a class.

Adkins says Silver Sneakers is a national program that encourages older adults to increase physical activity by making fitness center memberships more available to seniors. Forty major health plans across the United States offer ...